40 | A different way of caring The Grange’s cottages and villas provides the perfect balance of enjoying the freedom to live independently, with the assurance a warm and welcoming community is always there in support. Te Awa Lifecare: The Grange “You need a purpose, and all the people who live in our village need a purpose, and need to feel like they’re in a vibrant, living place and I – hand-on-heart – believe that The Grange is truly that.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T T from page 38 Mosgiel was chosen as The Grange’s site because it provided sufficient flat land, meaning it was possible to build out rather than up, while also making it easier for both residents and visitors to move around on ground level. Other key considerations were to be 30 minutes’ drive from a base hospital, and being able to walk or drive a mobility scooter to a nearby town, and to be in a semi-rural environment. “This is a beautiful piece of land nestled amongst the hills which surround East Taieri; it’s a privilege to be here and to live here.” Uniquely, because the site was historically farm land, The Grange will retain some paddocks and livestock, such as sheep, cattle, horses and chickens within the 20 hectares on which it is located. In addition to being a significant investment in the community socially, and for healthcare, the estimated total build cost of $150 million when the village is completed is a considerable financial investment in the community, the wider district and the “wonderful” local community of contractors, some of whom have worked at it since its inception. Although the financial aspects of The Grange’s operation are essential to its ongoing success and ability to operate, Mandy emphasises The Grange Lifecare’s directors are first and foremost focused on people, care, and creating community. “Our model of care is quite different to a lot of other villages. We build our community facilities and our care first; we start to invest in care when we don’t have the residents here. We’re the only village model in New Zealand that does this. “It’s a huge capital investment, which we manage really tightly, but the benefit of that is when people move into our village our philosophy is care, and ageing well, and helping our people make the most of every day. We don’t believe you can do that without the care facility and the community facility operational.” The Grange’s community includes a welcoming and spacious café/multipurpose area, The Mains, with a lovely ambience that invites leisurely socialising with family, friends or village neighbours. Other facilities provided are a cinema, café, library, hair salon, indoor bowls, snooker and pool room, and an arts and crafts room with sewing machines. “Mosgiel and the greater Dunedin community have absolutely embraced our café; they love the space that we’ve created, so that it has morphed into a business on its own, “ says Mandy. “I think it’s important to point out that we didn’t open the cafe for the public, we built it for our village community, but we fundamentally believe in being a community within a community.” Consequently, Te Awa Lifecare believes in giving back to the community, including through sponsorship. It supports The Louise Davis Charitable Trust, which raises funds for research into earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer; it recently sponsored the Taieri College boys’ rugby team’s European tour in April/May, and is a regular supporter of Ronald McDonald House. “We believe that you have to be part of the community; it’s a two way street.” Mandy acknowledges that moving into a retirement village is a massive life choice and probably one of the single most important life-changing decisions a person or couple will make late in their lives. She notes that when making this move is early and independently, it offers a lot of choices and freedom. An important advantage of making an early decision to move is that if managed care is eventually needed, the resident does not have to be uprooted from their established community and social network. The Grange’s cottages and villas provides the perfect balance of enjoying the freedom to live independently, with the assurance a warm and welcoming community is always there when residents return home, Mandy says. There are options of a variety of architecturally designed two- or three-bedroom villas with a double garage, from 140sqm to 200sqm in a pleasant neighbourhood setting within the village. Water • Sewerage • Gas • Telecommunications • Power (03) 489 5343 admin@kbcontractors.co.nz Specialists in trenchless technology. Directional Drilling Pipe Ramming Pipe Bursting Thrust Boring Proudly supporting The Grange HEAT PUMPS AIR CONDITIONING VENTILATION BUILDING COMPLIANCE Office & Showroom: 225 Hillside Road, Dunedin HEATING AND AIRCONDITIONING SERVICES LTD 03 456 0200 admin@hasltd.co.nz Proud supplier to Te Awa Lifecare (03) 244 8271 | otago@aitkenjoinery.co.nz www.aitkenjoinery.co.nz/about/otago Showroom: 19c Portsmouth Drive, Dunedin
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